Author: Rhys Gregory

Workspace hazard wearables company spacebands has secured an additional £1.1million in funding to accelerate its mission to prevent workplace accidents and reduce the risk of long-term occupational health conditions. Spacebands, which is headquartered in Cardiff, designs wearable technology that helps organisations prevent workplace injuries and long-term health conditions by monitoring exposure to hazards such as noise and hand–arm vibration. Its devices alert workers in real time and provide health and safety teams with clear data to help prevent problems before they arise. The funding will be used to further enhance spacebands’ wrist-worn wearables and continue developing its online analytics platform,…

A Swansea based ice cream manufacturer has grown its wholesale business after benefiting from a range of Welsh Government funded specialist support. GG’s Gelato has successfully secured SALSA certification with help from the Welsh Government’s HELIX Programme. Founded in 2019 by local businessman Keith Jones, GG’s Gelato have grown from a single parlour in Penclawdd on the Gower Peninsula to distributing their products to customers across south Wales, including cafes, restaurants, theatres and convenience stores. Having outgrown the production space available at their parlour, GG’s Gelato expanded into a dedicated manufacturing site in 2024 and purchased new specialist production equipment…

Chef Tom Simmons this week has unveiled Thomas, The Brasserie, a new chapter for his much-loved Pontcanna restaurant. Long regarded locally as one of Cardiff’s standout dining destinations, Thomas by Tom Simmons has undergone a reinvention from fine dining into a more accessible brasserie concept designed to reflect changing dining trends and make exceptional, high-quality food more welcoming to the wider community. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, The Brasserie offers a fixed menu alongside daily specials that celebrate the very best seasonal produce. Staying true to Tom’s ethos, the menu champions premium local ingredients, high-quality cooking…

A criminally exploited Flintshire teenager has reintegrated into education and continued his part-time job thanks to crucial support from a key government-backed programme. The 17-year-old, whose identity is anonymised for safety reasons, believed he was simply helping a close friend by paying off a drug debt, only to find himself manipulated into a cycle of selling the illegal substances. Recognising the detrimental effects of this new lifestyle, the youngster tried to escape but found his safety at risk after being constantly threatened and harassed at his college and workplace by his dealer. He bravely sought help from the police before…

A total of £1.22 million is being invested in the Powys economy – by businesses and the county council – after 18 capital grants were awarded. The companies are investing nearly £1 million in their own futures, while the council has added £243,000 to the pot from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. There were 150 applicants for the capital grants, announced in August, which are being used to cover up to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of £25,000, for projects that support growth or long-term sustainability. The 18 businesses that were successful, are buying new equipment,…

Police are appealing for help to locate a US national who has not been seen since November 2025. South Wales Police are trying to trace 59 year old Tana Garner, who is believed to be in the Cardiff area. Tana is described as being in possession of a suitcase tied with rope and is known to frequent Cardiff city centre. Officers believe she may have been living homeless for a period of time. She speaks with a broad American accent and enquiries suggest she may have travelled elsewhere in the UK, potentially to the Windsor area. Police have confirmed that…

Police have confirmed that the search of the River Teifi for missing man Kurtis Brooks has ended. Officers from Cardigan, Crymych and Newcastle Emlyn Police have been involved in the search, which has been carried out as part of ongoing efforts to locate Kurtis. Confirming the decision, Chief Inspector Richard Yelland said: “Whilst this is an extremely difficult decision to make, we are satisfied that we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to try and locate Kurtis and his family have been informed of this decision. “We will continue to respond to any new information that could lead to…

Few careers follow a straight line, and for one local funeral director, life took him from the army to a different kind of service – helping families at their most difficult times. After a 22-year career in the British Army with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, Ian Rees faced a major crossroads. “After leaving the Army, I had two main routes in mind: joining the Welsh Ambulance Service or working in the funeral industry. My tours of Bosnia and Kosovo saw me providing humanitarian aid on a peace implementation mission. “It was during this period that I realised I am a ‘people person’ and took satisfaction in being able to help…

The CIPD – the professional body for HR and people development – has revealed the programme for its inaugural conference in Wales, taking place on 5 February 2026 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The CIPD in Wales conference will bring HR and people professionals together to explore the biggest workplace trends, legislation and developments shaping the future of work in Wales. It will also help organisations to build a more high-performing and sustainable workforce, underpinned by effective people management. Tori James, the first Welsh woman to summit Mount Everest, at age 25, and a member of the first all-female…

LQ Resorts has expanded its UK portfolio with the acquisition of the Parkway Hotel and Spa in Cwmbran, supported by a seven‑figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales. The long‑established spa and resorts operator, which already runs three destination resorts including its flagship site near the Welsh border between Oswestry and Wrexham, has added the 80‑room Parkway Hotel and Spa to its collection. Set in more than seven acres, the venue is a popular destination for spa breaks, conferences, weddings, and leisure stays. Funding was provided through the Wales Tourism Investment Fund. The business has already begun upgrades at…